It's All Downhill From Here!

I see it's been quite some time since I've posted a new blog and figured I was due.  It's not that I haven't wanted to update everyone, it's just been so busy that I haven't had much of a chance.  Since I woke up this morning at 5:30 and couldn't sleep, I figured today was as good as any.

For the last several weeks, I've been continuing my marathon training but there have been some hiccups.  Just over a month ago, I started to feel my IT band after long runs.  For those that might not know, the IT band runs from your hip, along the side of your leg down to just below your knee.  I believe its purpose is to keep the leg aligned properly when you walk/run.  And, when that bad boy starts to hurt...it REALLY hurts.  This same problem ruined my first marathon in 1998 when it flared up at mile 10.  I finished, but it was brutal.  Feeling that same pain come back this year was quite frustrating.  I struggled through many runs, stretched and did everything I could to ease the pain, but nothing worked except resting...difficult to do while training for 26.2.  There were even two runs where I had to stop after 3 miles and walk home.  Not good!

Teresa had been visiting a chiropractor for some pains she had and I figured it was worth a shot for me.  On my days I head downtown for work, I saw a new chiropractor office was opening up so I checked them out online.  It turns out, Dr. John Lloyd at 5280 Chiropractic would save my marathon chances.  After researching his office, I was pleased to discover that he has participated in 10 Ironmans, Ultra Marathons and other endurance sports.  Who better to know the injury I was experiencing?  So, I made an appointment to see what he had to say.  After a thorough examination and x-rays, he said my IT band issues were quite clear...my hips were displaced.  My right leg was effectively 15 mm shorter than my left, which would cause the pain in my left IT band.  Amazingly, after one treatment, I was running pain free again!  I couldn't believe the difference.  The sound of the footfalls was equal again, legs felt strong and I was ready to go.

With Dr. Lloyd's advice, I've limited some of my long runs to make sure I stay healthy...better to have a few good 16 milers than one painful 20 miler.  I went down that path, but was feeling so good, I cranked out my 20 miler yesterday.  And, no IT band pain!!!  What a relief.  I'm continuing  my chiropractor treatments through the marathon, to make sure I stay on track.  It's amazing how much better I feel.

So, now that my 20 mile run is done, it's all down hill.  I've ran my peak distance and will start my taper for the marathon in 3 weeks.  My long run yesterday went pretty well too and I think I'm on track to go sub-4 hours.  This was backed up by my Yasso 800 predictive workout last Wednesday which put me at a 3:53 time.  My struggle now is the planning.  Given that the Colorado Marathon has over 1300 feet of elevation loss, most of which occurs in the first 18 miles, I'm trying to figure out my pace to go sub-4.  While going downhill seems easier, doing so for such distances can really burn your legs, making the few small hills in this run seem like Everest.  I know...that's how I felt last year for the last several miles.

To run a constant pace and go sub-4, I would need to hold a 9:09 per mile pace.  Relatively easy for the first 16 miles, but more difficult for the last 10.  So I'm thinking of building a buffer, running 8:30 for the first 16 miles, which gives me a nice 8 minute buffer for the last 10 miles. I'm sure I'll be tweaking this plan in the next 3 weeks, but that's where I'm headed now.

On another note, I've officially signed up for more races this year.  I've registered for two sprint distance triathlons; My Way or the Tri Way and the Fall Frenzy.  I'm very excited to venture into the sport of triathlons.  I am planning on signing up soon for the Bolder Boulder, where I hope to PR...love this race.  Finally, I signed up for the Warrior Dash in August.  This is a new one to me, but I'm very excited about it.  The race, which is held at Copper Mountain, includes a nice climb, followed by essentially an obstacle course.  I will have to leap rusted cars, climb hay bails, tackle cargo nets and much more.  Best of all...I get to leap through fire!  Okay, maybe best of all is the cool warrior hat I get at the finish...and the beer.  I will be running this race with several people I work with which will make it that much more interesting.

Between all of that and the family camping and other activities we have planned, my summer has quickly filled up.  If I find more local triathlons that fit in the schedule, I'll most likely sign up for them too.  A great summer awaits!

Thanks for reading.

- Brian